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Price Transparency Guide
Price Transparency - Know the fair prices, avoid being overcharged
💡 Quick Tips
📱
Use Mobile Payment
Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely accepted and offer fair prices. Cash may lead to overcharging.
🚗
Use Ride-Hailing Apps
Didi (Chinese Uber) shows exact prices upfront. Avoid street taxis when possible.
💻
Book Online
Book tickets and hotels through official apps. Prices are transparent and the same for everyone.
🔢
Learn Basic Numbers
Knowing numbers helps you verify prices and spot discrepancies.
Price comparison view:
🚗
Transportation
| Item | Local Price | Foreign Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
Taxi (per km) | ¥2 | ¥2 | Meter should be same for everyone |
Metro (urban) | ¥3 | ¥3 | Same price for everyone |
Bus (urban) | ¥2 | ¥2 | Same price for everyone |
Didi (Ride-hailing) | ¥8 | ¥8 | Base fare, same for everyone with app |
High-speed train (per km) | ¥0.46 | ¥0.46 | Same price for everyone ⚠️ Book through official 12306 app |
🎫
Attractions
| Item | Local Price | Foreign Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
Forbidden City | ¥60 | ¥60 | Same price, need passport |
Great Wall (Badaling) | ¥45 | ¥45 | Same price, cable car extra |
Terracotta Army | ¥120 | ¥120 | Same price for everyone |
West Lake (Hangzhou) | ¥0 | ¥0 | Free! Boats extra |
Local Museum | ¥0 | ¥0 | Most museums are free ⚠️ Check for free days |
🍜
Food
| Item | Local Price | Foreign Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
Street Food (simple) | ¥10 | ¥10 | Same price if you order directly |
Local Restaurant (meal) | ¥30 | ¥30 | Check menu for prices first ⚠️ Tourist areas may overcharge |
KFC | ¥25 | ¥25 | International chains have fixed prices |
Hot Pot (local) | ¥100 | ¥100 | Per person, varies by restaurant |
Bai Cofe | ¥20 | ¥20 | Same price |
🛍️
Shopping
| Item | Local Price | Foreign Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
Convenience Store | ¥5 | ¥5 | 7-Eleven, FamilyMart - same prices |
Supermarket | ¥20 | ¥20 | Walmart, Carrefour - same prices |
Tea Shop (tourist) | ¥100 | ¥500 | Tourist areas may charge 5x more ⚠️ Be careful of tea scams |
Silk Shop (tourist) | ¥200 | ¥1000 | Quality varies greatly ⚠️ Check quality before buying |
🏨
Accommodation
| Item | Local Price | Foreign Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
Hostel (bed) | ¥50 | ¥50 | Same price on booking apps |
3-Star Hotel | ¥200 | ¥200 | Same price if booked online |
5-Star Hotel | ¥800 | ¥800 | International chains have fixed prices |
🚕
Taxi Meter Tutorial
How Taxi Meters Work
1.
Base Fare
Usually ¥10-14 for first 3km
2.
Distance Rate
¥2-3 per km after base
3.
Waiting Rate
¥2-3 per 5 minutes of waiting
4.
Night Rate
11PM-6AM: 10-20% higher
Sample Fares
3km (short trip)¥10-15
10km (city)¥25-35
25km (suburb)¥60-80
Airport (50km)¥150-200